Environment Waikato has made no offer to upper catchment Piako farmers that costs would not be sought from them in exchange for the farmers dropping their court appeal over the Piako flood protection scheme.

Environment Waikato has adopted its Strategic Plan for the next decade, approving a major 10 - year strategy to improve water quality in rivers and streams and withdrawing plans for an increase in separate biosecurity rates.

Who benefits from and who should pay for flood protection works on the Tongariro River was one of the major issues during open discussion on Environment Waikato’s Project Watershed at the latest Lake Taupo Liaison Sub Committee meeting.

Environment Waikato’s Corporate Services Committee has recommended to Council that it seek costs from the group of upper catchment farmers who lost a judicial review of the Council’s Piako River rating decision.

Environment Waikato has begun building flood protection works along the west bank of the Waikato River between Mercer and Meremere to protect about 356 hectares of low lying land from flooding and improve drainage.

Existing assets should be maintained but the jury is still out on the need for more catchment services under Environment Waikato’s Project Watershed, for the section of the Waikato River between Whakamaru and Ngaruawahia.